Three men have been arrested following the fatal shooting of a man in Limerick yesterday.

The three men, two in their late 40s and one in his 20s, were arrested last night in the Limerick area.

They are currently detained at Henry Street and Roxboro Road Garda Stations under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007. They can be held for up to 7 days.

A 51-year-old man was "blasted in the face" in a drive-by gun attack in Murroe, Co Limerick yesterday in what Gardai called a dispute between two rival biker gangs.

The man, named locally as Andrew O'Donoghue, a long-time member of Road Tramps Motorcycle Club Ireland, was shot in the face as he went to close a gate at the entrance to the group's clubhouse at around 3pm.

A car pulled up outside the club house, located at Mountfune, Murroe, and a gunman -- whom Gardai believe is a member of a rival biker gang -- who was armed with a shotgun, fired at the victim hitting him in the face.

Mr O'Donoghue, 51, from Cois na Coille, Murroe, was rushed by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick, but died there from his injuries, a short time later.

A Garda source said they had "no clear motive" for the killing but that officers are investigating a line of enquiry that the shooting may be linked to an alleged assault involving biker gangs two weeks ago.

"He was blasted in the face. He was apparently coming to close a gate attached to the clubhouse. A car pulled up and he was blasted by a gunman," the source said.

"We believe a bikers dispute led to it. It's early days but there'd be hostilities between these different biker groups."

Gardai are "following a definite line of enquiry".

"A number of searches have been carried out but no arrests have been made," the source added.

"The club has gone through some changes over the past few months, which has brought about the formation of the Alliance Ireland. Relations and respect between ourselves and the other four MC Irish clubs, has strengthened and continues to grow."

"We are proud to remain Road Tramps MC and are looking forward to the future in the Irish MC scene which is being developed by the Alliance Ireland for the Irish," a notice on the club's website explained.

Philip O'Connor posted on the club's Facebook account: "Rest in peace Odd, thoughts with his family, the Road Tramps MC Ireland, the Alliance, I know your brothers will carry your name forever".

The club is believed to have recently marked the start of the summer by holding its annual Summer Party held each May weekend at its club house in Murroe.

Gardai said the scene of the shooting was preserved "pending a Garda Technical Investigation".

Gardai in Bruff are investigation the killing and behave appealed for witnesses or anyone who may have any information to contact them on 062-382940, the Garda Confidential Line, on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.